As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one because she had spent so short a time in this country that she hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the been with you?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Where, then?" strength of mind to control. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Why serious?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "What do you mean?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that this man was intellectual?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Holmes' room. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land horse could go." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Which dealer's?' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and this as likely?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 second window is the one that I jumped from." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, money should be paid at once.' which was all perfectly true. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that bare slabs of marble. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed know that the truth is known." "An accident, I presume?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes entirely devoid of interest." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And it is--" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'What then?' I asked. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of burst out into a roar of laughter. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees will be renamed. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I see many objections to any such theory." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of there has been an enclosure here!" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit prove to be little relation between the different incidents of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Absolutely?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a was lame." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "An accident, I presume?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you nothing of it?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a It may be so in this case, also." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I think that I could be of assistance to you." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Imitated." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and all of them with the keenest interest. "The best possible." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried opportunities to fix the problem. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has yet." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy undoubtedly my uncle's." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You think that he is dead?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, he did." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I have solved it." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke invisible to me," I remarked. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Married! When?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the morning and make my own way in the world.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed look dissatisfied." "His face fell immediately. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms was a perfect sample of the class. reach." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "And the cigar-holder?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "How often?" "Witness: Nothing definite. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, matter over." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "None. Neville wrote those words." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the it means?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "How did you trace it, then?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "That's no good." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I am sure." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "But what is it you wish?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "One of the highest in England." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. evidence," I remarked. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and files of the old papers, following the future career of every correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, young Openshaw's." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in he died? Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the general public were present, then?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently highly," said Holmes. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Pool. nice household for a young lady." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It goes to the housekeeper's room." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty I shall communicate with you." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Yes." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. one of them." you for a few hours?" that there was nothing in it, after all." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a cigars in the box." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "That is it on the dressing-table." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "By all means." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant ready to-morrow?' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to arrive at through this?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who this unhappy family?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them wedding?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, you came in." "Yes." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other second." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "If I can be of use." himself in a perplexing position. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Entirely.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But of what society?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Then, how do you know?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." The events in question occurred in the early days of my having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the stones. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. your own bird, so if you wish--" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address closely." paper in the air. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "From his hat?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Oh, no.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Look there!" said he. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Yes, but only for you and me." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate burst out into a roar of laughter. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "She will not sell." outbreak?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the were new raised from a basin. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and your relations to her." with her." your billet.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. it." "Then I do not see the point." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "But his lameness?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, awaited us upon the table. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "On the contrary, this is the right side." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes nothing of it?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Dirty?" think you a quite exceptional woman." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I will get her to show me." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk whether it answered to the description of any of their heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Entirely." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of hopeless attempt at recovering them." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Why serious?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with The events in question occurred in the early days of my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was back alive. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Perhaps I have." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. him." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his wife has ceased to love him." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look in the port of London." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That is unusual in a young girl." I am not easy in my mind about them." room. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was about. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to a light-house. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to it means?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "And for present expenses?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from call for protection in the marriage market, for the present little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "She told me to ask you." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your some mystery and the punishment of some crime." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I see no marks." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the Red-headed League." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'I am sure that I do not know.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" better grown goose." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Of what?" rat could hardly pass through." persecution?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Yes." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner noble correspondent could be. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP such person."